Identification
and Correlates of the Dysregulation Profile in Parents' and
Teachers' Ratings of Dutch Preschoolers

Multiple
studies have reported identification and correlates of a pattern
of CBCL/6-18 syndrome scale scores designated as the Dysregulation
Profile (DP). The DP is defined by elevated scores on the
Anxious/Depressed, Attention Problems, and Aggressive Behavior
syndromes of the CBCL/6-18. Children identified as having
the DP have elevated rates of several disorders, suicidality,
and substance abuse. Behavior genetic studies have indicated
significant heritability for the profile itself, over and
above genetic influences on each of the constituent syndromes.
A Dutch team analyzed CBCL/1½-5 and C-TRF scores for
247 clinically referred and typically developing 3½-5-year-olds
(Geeraerts et al., 2015). Confirmatory factor analyses showed
that a bifactor model fitted the parent- and teacher-ratings
better than other factor models for detecting the DP, plus
the Anxious/Depressed, Attention Problems, and Aggressive
Behavior syndromes. Validity analyses showed that the DP was
concurrently and longitudinally associated with multiple markers
of dysregulation. The markers included poor inhibition, poor
general level of functioning, emotional reactivity, sleep
problems, observed externalizing behavior, and symptoms of
DSM externalizing disorders. Moreover, scores on each of the
three constituent syndromes were differentially associated
with other external validity criteria. For example, scores
on the Anxious/Depressed syndrome were associated with emotional
reactivity, while scores on the Attention Problems syndrome
were associated with ADHD symptoms. Scores on the Aggressive
Behavior syndrome were associated with symptoms of oppositional
defiant disorder and conduct disorder. The authors concluded
that "DP is best conceptualized as a broad syndrome of
dysregulation that exists in addition to specific anxious/depressed,
aggressive behavior, and attention problem syndromes.